KAYAK FAMILY PADDLE ON THE PARKER RIVER Look for wildlife in the secluded areas of the Plum Island waters at this family outing sponsored by Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Plum Island Kayak. May 26 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $60 (preregistration required; for families with kids 7 and older). Meet at Plum Island Kayak, 92 Merrimack St., Newburyport. 978-462-9998. www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats

WOOL DAYS AT OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE Learn what happens to wool every step of the way, starting with the haircut. The process includes 1830s-style sheep shearing by farmers, sheepherding exhibitions with border collies (Saturday), wool carding, spinning, knitting, and more. May 26-28 from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $24, $22 seniors, $8 ages 3-17, free for active United States military and families. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge. 800-733-1830. www.osv.org

“RETHINK YOUR DRINK!” At this Whole Foods food workshop with Mary Landale, kids will learn to tell how much sugar is in soda, sports drinks, and other sugar-infused drinks. Participants will make a parfait with coconut “milk,” yogurt, wheat-free/nut-free granola, and fruits. May 30 from 4-5 p.m. Free (for grades K-5; space is limited; must indicate if child has allergies or is allergy-free). Edith M. Fox Branch Library,175 Massachusetts Ave., East Arlington. 781-316-3198. www.robbinslibrary.org

EVENTS

“CAPTURING THE ARC” Peabody lighting designer Joey Nicotera used state-of-the-art lighting technology and a year of his time to create a sculpture suspended from a 40-foot ceiling in the Museum of Science lobby. The multicolored light show uses just 300 watts of energy to create up to 16.7 million colors from red, green, and blue. Daily from 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. Museum of Science Lobby, 1 Science Park, Boston. 617-723-2500. www.mos.org

WFNX DOWNTOWN CROSSING BLOCK PARTIES Downtown restaurants provide the free appetizers; the Swinging Johnsons, also known as the Johnson Brothers, provide most of the weekly music; you provide the partygoers at these weekly block parties. Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. through Aug. 30. Free. Downtown Crossing, Boston. 617-261-0066. www.bostonbid.org

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF LIBERTY Bring your blanket and lawn chair to this Memorial Day concert of traditional and contemporary tunes. And what a fitting place to honor our fallen soldiers. May 28 at 2 p.m. Free. Grounds of the Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lincoln and Lexington (for directions use 250 North Great Road, Lincoln). 978-369-6993. www.nps.gov/mima

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS MEMORIAL DAY OPEN HOUSE Spend the day with works of art, encourage the kids to participate in art-making activities, take introductory tours of the collections, listen to talks, and check out the latest exhibits. May 28 from 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Free. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 617-267-9300. www.mfa.org